PM to visit Karachi, discuss security today

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called on President Mamnoon Hussain and discussed the overall situation of the country, especially the law and order situation in Karachi. The prime minister will visit Karachi today (Wednesday) to review the law and order situation in the city and chair a related meeting. The Sindh chief minister and top officials of the law enforcement agencies and military will attend the meeting and brief the prime minister. A senior official at the Prime Minister’s House revealed that Nawaz has already directed the Ministry of Interior to expedite the blocking of illegal mobile phone SIMs and ensure the use of biometrics system for issuance of SIMs in the future. The PM would redirect the Sindh government and Rangers to take action against the land mafia that was illegally grabbing state lands, the official added. The Prime Minister Nawaz will also discuss coordination mechanism regarding intelligence sharing and combating terrorism, sectarian and targeted killings. Recently, intelligence agencies reported to the prime minister that the law and order situation in Karachi has turned worse and the cases of extortion and target killings have increased, sources said.